politics of the affordable care act; rising tensions in asia; how american students performed on a world wide report card; and detroit's bankruptcy gets the green light. >> woodruff: in washington today, president obama worked to refocus the health care debate on the successes of the affordable care act. newshour congressional correspondent kwame holman begins our coverage. >> reporter: the president touted benefits of the affordable care act at the white house this afternoon, flanked by people who've gained under the program. >> right now, what this law is doing is helping folks. and we're just getting started with the exchanges, just getting started with the marketplaces. so, we're not going to walk away from it. if i've got to fight another three years to make sure this law works, then that's what i'll do. >> reporter: the president's appearance opened a new public relations offensive to move beyond the law's troubled rollout. >> do not let the initial problems with the web site discourage you because it's working better now, and it's just going to keep on working better over time. ev